CROSS COOLEY CHALLENGE A GREAT SUCCESS
On Saturday night I headed for the Greenore Bar where the presentation night for the Cross Cooley Challenge was taking place.
The night was organised to present cheques to both North Louth Hospice and Maria Goretti Children’s Respite Centre from the 6th annual walk organised by Errol and Ciara Boyle from Greenwood Drive, Seamus Gormley from Lower Point Road, Brian Watters from Riverside Drive and Fergus McArdle from Shore Road.
A staggering 453 people took part in the walk between the Lumpers and Carlingford a distance of 15.2 km on April 21st and by all accounts it turned out to be a beautiful day (probably the only one that month). The entire walk raised a staggering €38,068 which was divided equally between the two groups.
I was only in the door when I met up with Errol who wanted to thank everyone for their participation on the walk and everyone for donating. He also wanted a big shout out for Leeds United’s biggest fan Fergus McArdle from Shore Road who was missing the presentation night because he was over in London for the weekend, he just wasn’t sure whether it was for the Chelsea V Man Utd cup final or the royal wedding?
I then headed over for a quick word with Deirdre Quinn the manager of the Maria Goretti Respite Centre who wanted to thank the organisers and everyone who took part and those who donated too. The money will really help the needs of the centre which currently caters for 80 special needs kids.
After this I got talking to Jacqui McArdle from Seatown Place and Shirley McDonnell from Oaklawns who had successfully completed the walk and had done it in one piece and really enjoyed it and were delighted t be there to meet up with some of their fellow walkers.
I then headed for a table where I got talking to the ladies representing the North Louth Hospice and they included Geraldine Crotty from Dromiskin, Catherine White from Blackrock, Delma Leahy from Priorland Road and Mary Mulholland from Blackrock who told me it was a fantastic night and they were delighted to be receiving the cheque from the group.
After this I headed over for a chat with Maurice and Denise McElroy from Ashbrook who told me that Maurice works in the Maria Goretti Centre and was there to lend their support to the night.
At an adjacent table I then got a word with Eddie Farrell from Anne Street, Derek Quigley from Faughart and David Conyard from Newry Road who were all there to support such a good cause and David wanted a big shout out for his mum Maura Conyard from Newry Road and the message is get well soon after her accident.
I then met up with Mickey O’Connor from Aghameen Park and Kevin Ward from Avenue Road who hadn’t taken part, but were up for making a good night of it with all the fundraisers there.
Seated close by was Dee O’Malley from Armagh Road who had successfully completed the walk and was looking forward to the night with all her walking friends.
Making my way over to another table I then had the pleasure of talking to the lovely Brigid Hoey from Springfield Manor who was there on the night with the one and only Dave Mackin who was making sure the night was running smoothly. They were with Liam and Pauline Caffrey from Ballymakellett who wanted to wish the organisers all the best and told me that the walk actually starts at the back of their house and they are delighted to be part of it.
Not too far away I met up with Jennifer Hynes from Park Drive, Helen Grant from Bellewsbridge Road and Ciara Boyle from Greenwood Drive who told me they’d all taken part in the walk and loved it and Brigid Hoey and Jennifer Hynes.
wanted to wish all the best to Helen who set a personal best time and was the first into PJs on the day!
Beside them were Helen Jackson from Beacon Curt and Gemma Bull from Tipperary who hadn’t taken part but were definitely going to support the night.
Finally, before I departed I got talking to Leon Baillie from Seatown with her husband Mark, she told me it’s always a great walk, she has only missed one since it started and they can’t wait for April 27th next year when they’d be getting the walking boots out once again for the Cross Cooley Challenge.